Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel and Hamas are expected to move into the second phase of the cease-fire once Hamas returns the body of the final hostage held in Gaza, noting that the next stage could begin before the month ends.
Netanyahu spoke during a news conference with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and stressed that the second phase, the disarming of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza could begin as soon as the end of the month.
Hamas has yet to hand over the remains of Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer who was killed in the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack. His body was taken to Gaza.
The cease-fire's second stage also includes the deployment of an international force to secure Gaza and forming a temporary Palestinian government to run day-to-day affairs under the supervision of an international board led by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The return of Gvili's remains - and Israel's return of 15 bodies of Palestinians in exchange - would complete the first phase of Trump's 20-point cease-fire plan.
